All Visayas bootfest set in San Carlos City

After a successful football year in 2011, San Carlos City is bringing into another level its grassroots development program with the hosting of the All Visayas Festival of Football for Under 13 girls and Under 14 boys set on February 26 to 23.

The age group tournament for aspiring football talents from different provinces in the Visayas will be followed by the Summer Football League on March 24 and the PFF Football Caravan on April 14 to 15.

San Carlos Football Club General Secretary John Carmona said the series of football events in the city enjoy the full support of the local government headed by Mayor Gerardo Valmayor Jr. and the congressional office of Rep. Jules Ledesma IV.

Recognizing the football development program as a major component in the city’s thrust for sports tourism, the program has also tapped the support from the San Julio Realty Incorporated and the City Tourism Office, Carmona said.

The San Carlos City FC has also been a beneficiary of equipment, training, and coaching materials from the US SouthCal Soccer Federation.

During its February 3 annual General Assembly, officers of the San Carlos FC presented the achievements of the group in 201.

Under the leadership of Valmayor, the club hosted the Philippine Football Federation National U19 football championships and the FIFA Grassroots Instructors Course last year.

The San Carlos City FC also strengthemed its coaches education program by sending four coaches for the AFC ‘C license coaching course, one for the AFC ‘ B license and two coaches for the AFC A’ License coaching course.

The club has also produced top caliber athletes with four members of its Under 14 girls -- Isabelle Carmona, Jojiel Junco, Janice Samillano, Edniella Sijub joining the national team, while Mason Trent Vergara was recruited to the national Under 14 boys’ squad, Jhoguev Ybanez in the Under 16, and Jomar Caruscay in the Under 19.

Also from San Carlos City as South East Asian games campaigners Gerardo Jinggoy Valmayor, and Lemuel Unabia.

These players are all products of a strong grassroots program of the club, Carmona said.*NAB

Visayan Daily Star